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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI think it is irresponsible to speculate on the identity of the shooters.
Last edited Fri Jul 8, 2016, 03:17 AM - Edit history (1)
Betting that it's white people trying to foment a race war, or betting that it's black people carrying out retaliation are equally invalid and just makes this community look bad. There's no point in it. None of us know. We will be told. And then we can start to form opinions.
On edit: yep, I used "speculate" incorrectly, which is embarrassing, especially since I argued about it downthread with someone who was right. Mea culpa. What I actually think is that it's irresponsible to prematurely arrive at conclusions about the identity of the shooters.
chillfactor
(7,590 posts)too much speculation going on...
LonePirate
(13,446 posts)The alleged bomb(s) along with the weapons and ammo suggest the event was pre-meditated; but it's not like the shooters would have known beforehand numerous cops would be lined up in view of a makeshift sniper's nest.
To me, it seems like they had prepared or blueprinted some sort of attack and were confronted with an opportunity to enact their plan.
It's a horrible tragedy with far too many questions right now.
GaYellowDawg
(4,452 posts)I would think that spontaneous would have been one individual banging away at a group of police from ground level.
I can't speculate on whether tonight's tragedy would take military training, because I have none myself.
Ash_F
(5,861 posts)There are a lot of multi-story parking garages with open sides.
Ex Lurker
(3,816 posts)gwheezie
(3,580 posts)We will know soon enough, it may take a few days. They still don't have all the suspects in custody.
HamiltonSwan
(38 posts)davidn3600
(6,342 posts)We are so politically polarized and charged now, it's what America has come to.
Response to davidn3600 (Reply #6)
rjsquirrel This message was self-deleted by its author.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)I hate to break this to you, but not everyone is watching whatever MSM channel you're watching.
grossproffit
(5,591 posts)SheilaT
(23,156 posts)I am frequently annoyed by threads that assume everyone else is on the same page. Not all of us are. And I sincerely appreciate our response.
GaYellowDawg
(4,452 posts)Maybe that would have prevented your needless annoyance.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)I actually go into the main page where all threads are posted, and found this one.
I'm reminded of my sister who was astonished that I didn't know the celebrity chefs who are on NPR. I don't happen to watch the celebrity chef shows. Shall I ramble on about the science fiction authors I know?
People often forget that there really are small divisions of fame or knowledge. I happen to be well connected in the science fiction community, not so well connected in other communities. I do not assume that you (or anyone else) will know when I start nattering on about a particular s-f author. Unfortunately, everyone else assumes I should know about lots of other folks in other communities. Honestly, we don't all know the same people.
And I must ask: What board should I have read?
GaYellowDawg
(4,452 posts)It's my favorite genre, especially if you include alternate history.
I'm sorry for getting annoyed with you. I hope you'll understand that, when posting on a website like DU with people who are generally well-informed, that it's easy to assume virtually all posters know about a major event like this hours after it began.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)GaYellowDawg
(4,452 posts)grossproffit
(5,591 posts)GaYellowDawg
(4,452 posts)I didn't think it needed clarification. We know who shot Alton Sinclair and Philandro Castile. The only shooters that the board have been speculating about over the last couple of hours have been the ones in Dallas. I would think you could figure that out.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)a breaking story.
GaYellowDawg
(4,452 posts)I'll keep your words in mind the next time I start a thread. Again, I apologize for being a smartass with you.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)where the title assumes everyone is watching the same TV show or CSpan whatever. Or simply is a response to something said on the TV, as if we're all in the same room.
And I need to not be so crabby at times.
greyl
(22,990 posts)Speculation typically involves multiplying possibilities, while betting means somebody has chosen one.
First definition of "speculation" by Mirriam-Webster: "ideas or guesses about something that is not known."
Please know a word's definition before you correct someone else's use of it.
greyl
(22,990 posts)What I said doesn't contradict that definition, and that definition doesn't say speculating is like betting. Speculating, the verb, like what we were actually talking about.
edit: by "multiplying possibilities" I meant making more and more (educated) guesses, so as not to ignore any possibilities or settle on a favorite hastily, without evidence. I hope that clarifies.
GaYellowDawg
(4,452 posts)The definition of speculating, the verb, as given by Mirriam-Webster: "to think about something and make guesses about it : to form ideas or theories about something usually when there are many things not known about it"
I can't think of any reason for you to mention betting unless you misunderstood the verb "speculating."
greyl
(22,990 posts)since you used that word twice in your OP: "Betting that it's white people trying to foment a race war, or betting that it's black people carrying out retaliation".
I can't imagine why you didn't hypothesize that was the reason I mentioned betting.
GaYellowDawg
(4,452 posts)Again, from Mirriam Webster, re betting: "a choice made by consideration of probabilities <your best bet is the back road>"
On edit: I thought that the speculation, resulting in premature choices, was irresponsible. Thanks for hijacking the thread by trying to stupidly nitpick the grammar.
greyl
(22,990 posts)I agree, betting on a premature choice is bad - in a live situation when all the facts have yet to come in, especially.
I disagree that speculating or hypothesizing is bad - in a live situation when some facts are known. Adding alternative speculations to conversations based on premature choices can be very good.
Have a good one.
GaYellowDawg
(4,452 posts)You make a good point.
On edit: And I'm embarrassed. Usually I understand the points that people are trying to make right away, and I didn't understand your point. You were right, and it makes me feel a bit stupid. Since I put myself out there I might as well acknowledge it and apologize.
PersonNumber503602
(1,134 posts)For example, I can think of a few possible motives and identities of shooters. Two of which you stated, and the other being that this is an ISIS type group who is using it as an opportunity to lash out, and the targeting of police only was done in order to stoke racial tensions in the US. Then of course there are more crazy conspiracy theories, but I'm not really into those. I don't think discussing possibilities is wrong in itself, but only becomes problematic when someone declares it as fact and then goes to seek out information to confirm what they believe.
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)shakes out...
romanic
(2,841 posts)RandySF
(59,812 posts)How would you feel if a cop was running at you with gun drawn even if you have superior firepower? I would piss my pants, but one of the shooters took him down cool as a cucumber. How many people, even among the military, develop that poise under pressure?
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)GaYellowDawg
(4,452 posts)And I used the word "speculate" incorrectly, which embarrasses me and pisses me off. I don't misuse words often. I intended to convey the idea that assigning these actions to specific groups of people prematurely was irresponsible. Which isn't what you've done.
You've given me something to think about, which is why speculations are useful in this case. I would edit the title of the post but I feel like I have to own it.
Skittles
(153,311 posts)oh yes
sir pball
(4,767 posts)Humpers have trouble hitting a plate at 50 yards, these guys know how to shoot. They cooly picked off the cops at range. You have to be calm, judge the wind, hold over if you're outta zero, control your breath, know when to squeeze the trigger. Hitting a deer broadside is hard enough at 400 yards, let alone a human in the head.
This has become war and the cops, with access to true military hardware (automatic rifles, SMGs, flashbangs/frags, APCs, probably RPGs), and with MUCH better snipers (I wager the FBI HRT gets involved) are gonna slaughter. Lol.
Response to sir pball (Reply #34)
rjsquirrel This message was self-deleted by its author.
sir pball
(4,767 posts)But I am hardcore Chaotic, so while I don't WANT it to happen, I'd totally enjoy the shitshow of it going down.
Same as the Brexit, I didn't want it that way but...chaos! Yay!
Skittles
(153,311 posts)AND THEY ARE STILL COWARDS
Response to GaYellowDawg (Original post)
rjsquirrel This message was self-deleted by its author.
underahedgerow
(1,232 posts)Surely he's got a mental disorder that fomented his anger, that doesn't take skin color.